Hood Canal Bridge Blog

Hood Canal Bridge Blog signing off

2009-07-10T10:22:00.000-07:00

Just the other day, I was reading through the Hood Canal Bridge Blog comments posted during 20-cycle tests that eventually led up to the June 3 reopening and – before I knew it – I found my heart racing and an all-too-familiar itch to post an update.

It’s been more than a month since we reopened the bridge and I was quite honestly surprised at my reaction. I was also very encouraged.

The HCB blog was pretty unique because it truly seemed remind people something that many tend to forget – the government is comprised of people just like you. (Gasp!) No, it’s true, really. It allowed us to do away with some of the stodgy overtones and just chat. While this is the nature of blogs, I felt there was a real connection that went beyond cyberspace and the keyboard – for me at least.

More than once, I’d get an update at a meeting or on the phone and say something like, “I’ve got to get this to my people.” “My people” being those who were relying on the blog for the latest project information, and chiming in with questions and comments.

In total, more than 31,000 people – which, according to the 2000 US Census, is roughly the combined populations of Port Angeles and Port Townsend – visited the blog, and posted about 700 comments.

The HCB Blog had a pulse all its own, a true sense of community and real interaction that kept things lively, informative and even entertaining.

When people got upset, others would step in and do something that is pretty much unheard of – defend a state agency. I’d always try to take such negative comments in stride, but admittedly enjoyed seeing the community “police” itself as it were.

Truth be told, I’ve got a pretty thick skin – and a thick skull to match, if you ask my wife – which is the result of more than a decade working at community newspapers. The thick skull is something I was born with, if you ask my mother.

People who have followed the blog likely won’t have to ask either of them.

Our blog has served its purpose and run its course – an obstacle course at times – and is closing up shop on July 17.

And so, as I write my final post here, I’d just like to express my sincerest thanks to all who visited, followed and shared their thoughts on the HCB Blog. I am proud to have been a part of such a grand community, humbled by your praise and honored to have been able to lend a hand.

“Bikini” Joe Irwin
WSDOT Communications

You can still have your questions answered and comments addressed by e-mailing me at irwinj@wsdot.wa.gov or calling 253-305-6412.

Filling the gap for safer bicycle travel across the bridge

2009-06-30T15:04:00.000-07:00

We are working hard to address several items communicated to us by the biking community. We are aware of the challenges bicyclists have experienced on the Hood Canal Bridge’s new grated roadway. We are sorry that bicyclists were injured and hope they are better soon.

Although the new Hood Canal Bridge was designed and constructed with bicyclists in mind, the new grated roadway was not created for bicycle travel. The designed and recommended path to travel is along the eight-foot concrete shoulders (as they have ample riding room) and along the shoulder areas on the trusses and draw span as they feature special, solid, non-slip surfaces.

From now through September, bicyclists are unable to access eight feet of the shoulder area on the east truss because concrete barrier lines the roadway to provide safe worker access during anchor cable connection operations. In this situation, we recommend dismounting and walking your bike over the grated roadway.

Some bicyclists who have chosen to ride on the grated roadway to go around the barrier have had trouble navigating a small gap that runs lengthwise down the east truss. We are installing material that will fill this gap in the grated roadway until the shoulders are fully reopened. Even with this fix, we still recommend bicyclists use extra caution and/or other travel options (i.e. walking their bikes) around the concrete barrier.

Additional temporary signage will be added soon on the bridge to alert bicyclists to the roadway conditions. We will keep you posted as we adjust what we can to offer the safest access possible when crossing the bridge.

Why the roadway has a bit of a wave

2009-06-30T13:21:00.000-07:00

Over the past few weeks, our crews have been taking a look at exactly why the bridge is a little wavy. They are in the process of determining what will be done to fix it.

Data so far is pointing toward the undulations being a result of building and piecing the bridge together a section at a time. Could we have done the work any differently? Yes, but everything comes with a price.

Option One: Build at the Site

When WSDOT built the new west half in 1978-1982 much of the roadway work was completed at the bridge site. This process could have been used for the east-half replacement. The trade off was that the bridge would have been out of commission for up to three years.

Option Two: Build off site

The biggest goal of the east-half replacement project was to minimize the time the bridge was closed to traffic. This meant matching up sections that were built in different locations.

While each roadway section meets the required specifications of being within 1/8th inch over the length of sections, when connected together the overall roadway is a little wavy.

Many discussions took place, talking through what absolutely had to be done before we could safely open the bridge to traffic and what we could do later during short night time closures. Ultimately, we decided to reopen the bridge as soon as possible and work through the roadway issue later.

Thank you for your patience as we make adjustments to your new bridge.

Hood Canal Bridge closes four times for 90 minutes June 24 and 25

2009-06-19T13:33:00.000-07:00

Drivers can expect four 90-minute closures of the Hood Canal Bridge between 10 p.m. and 4 a.m. overnight Wednesday, June 24 and Thursday, June 25 while crews adjust the draw span bumpers. The bridge draw spans must be opened to complete the work.

There will be two closures each night. After the first nightly closure, there will be a 15-minute travel window during which drivers can cross the bridge before the second closure begins.

WSDOT completed replacing the Hood Canal Bridge’s east half and east and west trusses June 3, but the project is scheduled to continue through December 2009. For more information on the Hood Canal Bridge Project, please visit www.HoodCanalBridge.com.

What could we have done better?

2009-06-16T07:49:00.000-07:00

Hello all,

I figured I'd wait a little while, allowing everyone to get back into their routines and a giving people some time to reflect before asking for some feedback that wasn't influenced by the much appreciated post-opening bliss.

Your bridge is back, but what -- within reason, of course -- could WSDOT have done better to make your life easier during the closure? We all should know by now that car ferries weren't feasible this go-round because there simply weren't enough boats to go around.

WSF did what it could to assist the project but what else could our state agency as a whole have done? Be open, be honest.

Your input good, bad and everything in between is important to us. Thank you for your time and consideration.

One more thing, since so many of you asked, here's the draw span video on Flickr...

Ribbon Cutting Event Icing on the Cake

2009-06-05T10:10:00.000-07:00

Today the official SR 104 Hood Canal Bridge Ribbon Cutting event was completed. Even the weather knew better than to be bad. There was no raining on our parade!

Getting everyone and everyting in place was a little hectic but fun. The smell of seawater was in the air, good food lined the tables, dogs joined in the festivities, bicyclists walked around in bright jerseys, vintage cars from the years the bridge was built welcomed attendees and people laughed and smiled. It was good, very good.

The Chimicum band played, Paula Hammond, Washington Transporation Secretary spoke, Dan Mathis from Federal Highway Administration read an original poem about the bridge (with some great rhymes I might add), and there was a feeling of mutual appreciation all the way around.

The best part of the day for me was meeting all of you that tune in here to get information. Thank you for coming to introduce yourselves. I think we should have set Joe up to do autographs the way everyone was asking for him.

The ribbon cutting marks the end of major bridge work for a long time. There is a bit left to do - upgrading the west-half mechanical and electrical systems, connecting the new east-half anchor cables and taking care of small details here and there. The in-water work will continue until October and the retrofit work probably through the end of the year. We will be doing periodic updates on the work so we hope you check back in now and then.

For now, let’s celebrate!!

-Becky Hixson

Celebrating a world-class accomplishment

2009-06-04T13:17:00.000-07:00

By now thousands of drivers are getting back into something they surely missed dearly May 1-June 3 -- their routines.

The daily commute to and from the Olympic Peninsula is suddenly a one-car affair. Much easier than a car-bus-water-shuttle-bus-possibly-another-car-and-maybe-even-a-ferry-ride affair. Much easier.

As if that isn't enough cause to celebrate, you've also got a new Hood Canal Bridge that'll last the next 75 years. The people who put this floating marvel together and those who helped everyone get around during the bridge closure are throwing a party Saturday, June 6 and you're on the invite list.

We'll have a variety of events and venues that will showcase the unique food, maritime flavor, arts and music and outdoor activities that are easily reached by crossing the Hood Canal Bridge.

The beauty of the celebration is that it's actually two (count them two) parties that span Kitsap and Jefferson counties.

Ribbon Cutting Event
Time: 11 a.m.
Place: Salsbury Point County Park
3160 NW Wheeler Street off SR 3
(Just north of the bridge’s east end in Kitsap County)

The official ribbon cutting ceremony will recognize community leaders, the bridge contractor, welcome elected officials from the area, with appreciation extended to all who helped. The Chimacum High School Band will provide music. Please RSVP for this event at 253-305-6400.

Bridge Opening Bash
Time: Noon to 8 p.m.
Place: Port Townsend

Port Townsend will host a party -- and this is a town that knows how to throw a shindig -- to celebrate the completion of the Hood Canal Bridge project. PT welcomes everyone on Saturday, June 6 with free outdoor music, food and special events.

For more information, visit www.EnjoyPT.com

Project success, and way too many people to thank

2009-06-04T06:51:00.000-07:00

The bridge is open and as usual, there are about 10,000 people to thank (now where is my list?). I'll group them to keep things simple.

First and foremost, thanks to everyone who stuck it out throughout the project, taking on everything from longer commutes, too much time away from their families, weather-related water shuttle delays and the like for weeks on end. Let's face it, it pretty much stunk.

But it's over now and think of all the interesting experiences you had that no one anywhere else -- on the planet, mind you -- had this past month. Years from now, you can bore your great grandkids with tales of the May-June 2009 bridge closure. So much to look forward to.

So much has ended.

This project was years in the making, and everyone from the engineers who designed it, to the construction managers and crews who put it together, to the people who tracked thousands of change orders, materials documents and fiscal transfers, those who developed the water shuttle/transit plan and made it work, office staff who coordinated events and made sure things went smoothly, and everyone else who participated in what truly was a team project, is to thank. (I'm sure I'm missing more than a few, but they know who they are.)

We had quite a cast and everyone played a vital role.

This blog (my first) was so much fun, I had to make sure I was still getting paid for it. In the end, all jokes -- and bikini carwashes -- aside, I'd like to say thanks again for sticking with us.

It was a bumpy ride at times, slow at others, but as the opening approached (5, 10, 15, 20) this was where people came for their information, updates and to cheer the progress on. The excitement, the anticipation, the relief provided the gas that fueled this blog and made it go.

My sincerest thanks to one and all.

You hit the jackpot...it's open...eight days early

2009-06-03T22:14:00.000-07:00

The world's longest floating bridge over saltwater is open to traffic once again...even eight days earlier than scheduled...well actually 11 days if you count in those nasty weather days when we couldn't work.

We hope you enjoy the wider shoulders and smoother ride. Drive on!

Draw span passed the test...just a few things left

2009-06-03T20:54:00.000-07:00

For most of the afternoon, I have been literally sitting on the edge of my chair, waiting for this bridge to open. Many of my colleagues have left, their jobs done, but I am staying until we open. Do I have to? Well, yes but I want to also.

All day the memories of opening the bridge to traffic back in August 2005 have been flooding back. The one rising to the top is the moment we opened and the first cars went rolling by with horns honking and hands waving. Since that time, four years ago, I have been waiting for this night. So in a few hours, after we move the last of the draw span testing equipment out of the way, I will be standing at the bridge trailer, waving to you all as you go by, enjoying the moment and basking in the knowledge that somehow what I do makes a difference for you.

Look for another update shortly!

- Becky Hixson

Count is up to 15

2009-06-03T19:44:00.000-07:00

Lucky number 13 came and went and crews pressed on to test number 15. All is still going well. Stay tuned as we get closer to that magic number 20. Are you enjoying the suspense yet? It is almost as good as a movie...well, almost.

p.s. - If things continue to go well, be ready for a morning commute across the new bridge.

Ten down, ten to go

2009-06-03T17:50:00.000-07:00

Eric Soderquist, former Hood Canal Bridge Project Director and the greatest mentor I ever have had in life, said often about work planning and execution, "Go slow so you can go fast." Obviously the team listened. The hard work from yesterday is paying off today. We took time to get draw span adjustments completed on Monday and Tuesday in order to help ensure the 20 cycle tests would go well once we started today.

Completing 10 cycles is great news but there is still a chance we have to start back at zero. When we did this same test in Seattle, we completed 12 cycles then had to start back at the beginning so don't hold your breath yet...

- Becky Hixson

First Five Down, 15 to go

2009-06-03T16:20:00.000-07:00

The first five draw span tests are complete and all five were keepers. The east control tower housed engineers, electricians and bridge maintenance staff, all watching the progress intently.

Each cycle brings its own excitement - Lights on, roadway gates down, barrier gates down, center locks up, end locks up, all three lift spans up, draw span engines start, gears move, draw span starts going back (slowly at first and then more quickly), roller guides rumble, control tower floor vibrates, draw span slows and stops, then it all happens again in reverse until one cycle is complete.

Although you can't feel the control tower floor vibrate from your house, you can watch the work on our bridge traffic camera.

The tests are expected to take anywhere from 8-10 hours, but this timeframe is wholly dependent on how things go. If test No. 7, or 12 or 19 raises serious concerns or fails, we're back at square one. Stay tuned!

Draw span tests get green light

2009-06-03T08:19:00.000-07:00

We finished functional testing of the bridge about 10:45 p.m. last night, checked the last box on the 93-page, 1,400-item check list (whew!) and started the 20 consecutive draw span tests around 2 p.m. today. You can watch the progress on our bridge traffic camera. We'll provide updates every two hours.

There are still a few punch list items we're working through, but nothing that will affect or delay the "20-cycle" tests.

That's the latest from the hardworking engineers technicians and construction workers who have brought us so much success and removed half of the world's longest floating bridge over saltwater and replacing it, along with two trusses, in a little over a month. My hat's off to these guys.

We're almost there.

The tests are expected to take anywhere from 8-10 hours, but this timeframe is wholly dependent on how things go. If test No. 2, or 12 or 19 raises serious concerns or fails, we're back at square one.

We don't want to have this happen anymore than people who have added hours to their daily commutes. However, it is a condition -- that means almost isn't good enough -- that must be met before we can reopen the bridge.

We'll do our best to keep everyone posted as things progress.

Draw span testing moved to Wednesday

2009-06-02T17:26:00.000-07:00

The exact SR 104 Hood Canal Bridge opening time is still unknown because, as we experienced today, testing work is unpredictable. I know that wasn't what you wanted to hear. Believe me, I feel your pain. With seemingly the whole peninsula having my cell phone number saved as a speed dial, I am as anxious as you are to know when the bridge is opening.

What I do know is that the crews are working long hours, focused on opening the bridge as soon as possible by completing draw span adjustments now in order to help ensure the 20 cycle tests will go well once we start.

I spent most of the morning out on the draw span myself, watching crews work through the draw span check list’s 1,400 electrical, mechanical and hydraulic items. The primary challenge today was aligning the pontoons ends correctly each time.

According to Scott Ireland, Hood Canal Bridge Contruction Manager and expert, joining the new bridge components to the existing west half adds another set of challenges to completing this very technical bridge that requires extensive checks and adjustments to ensure its safe and reliable operation.

So now draw span testing is now scheduled for Wednesday. Another update will be provided Wednesday evening so check back then.

-Becky Hixson

What happens after the bridge reopens

2009-06-02T10:46:00.000-07:00

A few days from now, the bridge will reopen to travelers. And when people are done dancing in the streets, high-fiving and enjoying the direct link across the Hood Canal... you might start wondering, "How the heck do I get to my car?"

Answers to this and other noodle scratchers are provided below. As usual, questions and comments are appreciated and anticipated.

WSDOT will continue to provide transportation services for the day the bridge reopens and one day after to help travelers return to their normal commute. Security will remain at the park and rides until the Sunday following the opening.

Drivers are encouraged to plan ahead. Bridge opening and get around information will be posted on the water shuttle, busses and transit stops prior to the reopening. For more information, call 1-877-595-4222.

Transportation details for night opening and day opening

Scenario One: Bridge opens at night

DAY ONE

- Water shuttle service will end.
- Transit connections between the park and rides would be by bus (instead of bus-boat-bus) every 30 minutes starting at 4 a.m.
- Clallam Transit’s express route will run to and from the Port Gamble Park and Ride.
- Jefferson Transit Route #7 will return to normal operations
- Starline Kitsap county-based service will continue per the established schedule
- The Port Townsend to Edmonds car ferry will end or be rerouted to Kingston as appropriate.
- Medical bus services will be provided Paratransit Services, Starline and Dungeness Line.
- Marine traffic restrictions will change. Check the notices to mariners.

DAY TWO

- Transit connections between the park and rides would be by bus every 30 minutes or as needed instead of bus-boat-bus starting at 4 a.m.
- Clallam Transit’s express route will run to and from the Port Gamble Park and Ride.
- Starline Kitsap county-based service will continue on an “as needed schedule.”
- Medical bus services will be provided by Paratransit Services, Starline and Dungeness Line.
- Marine traffic restrictions will change. Check the notices to mariners.

Scenario Two: Bridge opens during the day

DAY ONE

The existing transportation system would stay in place until the next day.
Marine traffic restrictions will change. Check the notices to mariners.

DAY TWO

- Water shuttle service will end.
- Transit connections between the park and rides would be by bus (instead of bus-boat-bus) every 30 minutes starting at 4 a.m.
- Clallam Transit’s express route will run to and from the Port Gamble Park and Ride.
- Jefferson Transit Route #7 will return to normal operations. Starline Kitsap county-based service will continue on an “as needed schedule.”
- The Port Townsend to Edmonds car ferry will end or be rerouted to Kingston as appropriate.
- Medical bus services will be provided Paratransit Services, Starline and Dungeness Line. Marine traffic restrictions will change.
- Check the notices to mariners.

Draw span tests scheduled to proceed Tuesday

2009-06-01T14:05:00.000-07:00

Fine-tuning work continues as WSDOT and Kiewit-General prepare to run 20 perfect openings of the bridge tomorrow, Tuesday, June 2. These tests are required to show that the bridge meets the operational standards for providing a safe and reliable draw span.

It's very important to note that these tests are scheduled to run tomorrow, the operative word being "scheduled." As with any major construction project, there are some unexpected kinks. This project is no different and given the electrical, mechanical and hydraulic components that must work in sync perfectly, right now we've got our best irons out.

Adjustments are still being made that will determine whether we can proceed as planned tomorrow. Your safety is our number one priority, and we're not going to open a bridge that isn't reliable.

All that said, the successful 20 cycle tests are one of the last things we have to do to reopen and give you back your bridge. We thank you again for your patience.

And now, with out further delay... your 'Sunday' update

2009-06-01T08:08:00.000-07:00

Hello all,

Our apologies for not providing you the progress report as promised on Sunday. We blew it big time and are truly sorry about that because we know how trying the closure has been on everyone.

We're in the final stages of the project now and are scheduled to complete 20 perfect openings of the bridge tomorrow, Tuesday, June 2. These tests are required to show that the bridge meets the operational standards for providing a safe and reliable draw span.

When the tests are done, we'll have an extremely clear idea on when the bridge will be ready for 16,000 vehicles that cross it daily.

Over the weekend, crews from contractor Kiewit-General and WSDOT completed the following operations:

• Pulled together or “tensioned” the majority of the pontoon UVWX/RST joint
• Started Truss and transition span expansion joints
• Continued electrical wire installation and connecting and final ballasting
• Completed bolting started final tensioning

The exact opening time is still unknown because the testing work is unpredictable. Even if the crews have 19 successful tests and then the draw span doesn’t work on the twentieth test, they must begin the testing sequence with a count of zero once again.

An update on draw span work and testing progress will be provided on Monday afternoon (We'll make certain of it).

After the bridge is open, WSDOT will continue to provide transportation services for the day the bridge opens and one day after to help travelers return to their normal commute. Drivers are encouraged to plan ahead by visiting www.HoodCanalBridge.com or by calling 1-877-595-4222.

Still on track for first week of June

2009-05-29T15:06:00.000-07:00

Just a quick update that we are still on track to open the bridge to traffic the first week of June.

Crews today focused on testing the new drawspan, which is why the center channel was closed for several hours during the middle of the day.

The project team is also focusing on important but not-so-visible tasks that must be completed before the bridge is safe for people to drive across.

We sent out a press release today to update the media, and the principal project engineer had a quote that I think makes the bridge construction relatable to a lot of people who have built or remodeled a home.

Dave Ziegler said: "Like when building a new house, even though it might look ready from the outside, there is lots of interior work to do before move-in day arrives."

But we're getting really close. We'll provide an update Sunday afternoon describing how the remaining work is progressing. Stay tuned.

There's more to the milestone list than just milestones

2009-05-28T13:09:00.000-07:00

While no major milestones were checked off the extensive Hood Canal Bridge Project to-do list yesterday, work continues to move forward and toward an early-June reopening.

Achieving some construction milestones takes more time than others, so if you're hanging your hat on our online list, consider another hook. There's much more going on than just what's on the list after all.

And construction, I'm finding, is a series of tiny steps that eventually lead up to a finished product. We're taking these steps now as we head into the final days of the project.

We're taking core samples, checking psi readings, tensioning bolts, placing polymer concrete, stripping pourback forms, adjusting the bridge alignment and meggering cables (whatever that is) among numerous other tasks. And while these steps are fairly unremarkable on their own -- and even confusing -- they're all part of the process that will bring us a wider, safer, more reliable bridge.

So, I encourage you to read between the lines on this list, because these milestones are achieved by tiny steps that are all too easily missed when the focus is solely on huge leaps and bounds alone.

Are we there yet? No. Are we there yet? No. Are we...

2009-05-27T13:15:00.000-07:00

... there yet? No, but we're getting closer.

We've been swamped of late with people asking us when we're going to open. Exactly. To the day. To the hour, even.

The stream of questions is understandable. People are getting anxious to reclaim their bridge and, in some cases, their lives as they shave hours off their commutes and travels to and from the Olympic Peninsula.

For the past few years, we expected to deliver the new bridge and two trusses in six weeks. Mother Nature threw a tantrum for a few days, made a mess, put us behind schedule, and we got stuck cleaning up. More than three days were added to the schedule due to weather delays.

It was ShamWow time. Our construction crews and team members made us proud as they took advantage of the weather, bringing the east and west draw spans together for the first time since May 1, placing transition span and roadway spans and completing Q/R pontoon joint grouting.

Doing so, they cleaned a week off extended schedule. Putting the expected reopening date at June 8. They soaked up three more days like cola off a shag carpet. Putting their collective nose to the grindstone and the expected reopening date at June 5.

So, what's the exact date now? Our latest schedule shows us reopening during the first week of June. Does this mean June 1? No. June 2? No. June 3? No, it means the first week of June.

We're not trying to be difficult here. Just accurate. Very accurate. So accurate that when we have the definite opening date, we'll be as sure as we can be that the date will stick. We'll have a better idea about where we stand this Friday, May 29.

Thanks for staying with us. And rest assured that we'll let you know the opening date as soon as we can.

Until then, thank you. We deeply appreciate your patience, questions and comments. Your participation and support has been astounding. Keep it up, just a few more days to go.

No wind, no problem

2009-05-26T11:58:00.000-07:00

With the absence of wind, construction on the SR 104 Hood Canal Bridge blew forward this weekend.

Mild weather -- well mild compared to what we saw a little earlier this month -- allowed crews to line up the east and west draw spans this weekend and mark spots that will be drilled out so WSDOT can bolt huge rubber bumpers on the ends of the draw span pontoons.

These bumpers not only prevent damage when the two pontoons come together, but they also help align the sections when they do.

The connection and grouting between draw span assembly pontoon Q and the retrofitted pontoon section RST is complete and transition spans, which bridge gaps in the bridge, providing addition flex between the pontoons, the trusses and the fixed roadway approaches in Kitsap and Jefferson county.

Post-tensioning strands between pontoon sections RST and UVWX were stressed, or pulled together, to about 50 percent. Crews are bolting the expansion joints and pulling wire through conduit -- this electrical work is expected to wrap up this weekend.

Let's hope this break from Mother Nature's tantrums continues.

Weekend work brings Hood Canal Bridge reopening closer

2009-05-25T16:40:00.000-07:00

While most people were playing during the holiday weekend, Hood Canal Bridge construction crews were working hard. I had move fast all day to keep up. The crews teased me about my new "employee wellness program" as I trooped up and down stairs, out and back the bridge twice to see both roadway span sets and clear down 3/4 of a mile to the center of the bridge. My only break time was "riding" the draw span out as the team pressed the east and west ends together for the first time.

The last hike from the draw span was certainly worth the effort. I stood under the new east truss and looked down the bridge - a bridge without big gaps - stretching from Kitsap to Jefferson County.

The bridge can support worker foot traffic (a few short hops still required), but it is not ready for the public to use by foot or by car. But, accomplishing several milestones this weekend did move the scheduled bridge reopening closer by three days, possibly as early as June 5.

Plan ahead for busy travel on alternate routes

2009-05-25T07:29:00.000-07:00

Heading out the door today on your way to or from the Olympic Peninsula, please use extra care when you hit the roads.

It's Memorial Day and that usually means traffic jams. Roads to and from the peninsula (US 101, SR 3 and SR 16) have been busier than usual with the bridge closure, and will experience even higher volumes throughout the day as people head home.

Aside from gassing up the car, and making sure you have snacks and water on hand, there are a few other things you can do before you go:

* Call 1-877-595-4222 for trip-planning help
* View Hood Canal area traffic cameras
* Download the transportation options map at www.HoodCanalBridge.com
* Subscribe to e-mail updates and text messaging updates at www.HoodCanalBridge.com

On the road:

* Tune to the following stations for Highway Advisory Radio

Kitsap County * SR 104 Hood Canal Bridge – 530 AM
* SR 104 Kingston – 1610 AM

Jefferson County * SR 104 Hood Canal Bridge – 530 AM
* US 101/SR 20 – 1580 AM

Clallam County * US 101/SR 113 – 1580 AM
* US 101/SR 112 – 1580 AM

Thurston County * US 101/Mud Bay Road – 530 AM

* Pay attention to electronic readerboard signs
* Call 511 for traffic information

Testing new draw span requires noon to 4 p.m. closure of marine channel today (May 24)

2009-05-24T10:23:00.000-07:00

Attention marine travelers: Boaters will NOT be able to travel through the channel between noon and 4 p.m. today, May 24. Crews working on the SR 104 Hood Canal Bridge project are testing the new draw span. (More information for mariners)

What do you mean the bridge is closed?

2009-05-23T13:47:00.000-07:00

Memorial Day weekend brings a wave of people to the Olympic Peninsula. People who visit just once a year, or just once, period. People who for 364 days a year have no need to know the Hood Canal Bridge is closed.

We met many of those people today.

My assignment this morning was to stand at the corner of SR 3 and SR 104 and be the bearer of bad news for motorists who approached without any idea the bridge is closed.

Doesn’t sound too challenging, but the task ended up testing the limits of my skill-set. As a public relations professional, I’m comfortable talking to people – and taking verbal abuse from frustrated commuters is just part of my job.

However, as car after car hesitated on the high-speed highway, or pulled past the orange barrels positioned to keep cars off the bridge, it instantly occurred to me that my job today was not to be a smiling ambassador for the state of Washington. I had to communicate quickly, give directions as succinctly as possible, and then sternly send people on their way. If I didn’t, the cars would back up on to the highway and create a dangerous situation for everyone.

I learned today how stressful controlling traffic can be. At one point there were seven or eight cars, all parked and pointed the wrong way on a section of pavement big enough for about 12 cars. I found myself doing more yelling than talking as I directed the vehicles away from the bridge: STOP, NO, GO BACK, WATCH OUT, HANG ON ONE SECOND, WRONG WAY, KEEP MOVING, YOU CAN’T STOP THERE.

Even in such a high-stress situation, I did a lot of smiling and met a lot of nice people – and no shortage of frustrated people. I heard the standard four-letter words from several people upon telling them they have to drive around the canal.

I was called partner, mate, boss, and Mr. Direction Guy. I was told that our Web site says the bridge is open (It does not.) and I was told the TV news said the bridge is open (haven’t confirmed this).

No less than two people tried to sweet-talk me into letting them cross the bridge (despite the fact their cars would have ended up in the deep water of the Hood Canal had they tried to cross). One guy seemed convinced, if given a proper runway, he could jump the canal in his Lincoln Navigator. I think (hope) he was kidding.

Maybe the most surprising interactions I had today were with the people who live in Tacoma or Seattle or Olympia. So many people said, “I saw the signs saying the bridge is closed, but it just didn’t click … It didn’t register.”

There was also an international flavor to my day as befuddled foreign tourists in GPS-guided rental cars destined for the scenic Olympic Peninsula hit a dead end at the closed bridge. One man simply pointed at his GPS screen with an incredulous look on his face that made me second-guess myself for a moment. "The bridge is closed, right?"

(As a sidenote, we did contact the GPS companies several months ago, but they don't make adjustments to the software for short-term traffic revisons.)

The folks we redirected hail from all over the world. We've talked to people from Austria, Australia, Germany, several Asian nations. This wasn't completely unexpected. Despite our best outreach efforts, and the numerous signs and warnings along the routes that led people to the bridge, we're going to miss some people.

A man from Germany took the news in stride.

"Time is on our side," he said as he recalibrated the rental car GPS.

Crews focus on small but important tasks

2009-05-23T13:22:00.000-07:00

Electrical wires, hydraulic pipes and steel post tensioning strands run from one end of the bridge to the other. It is amazing to me how all the ducts, holes and pipes on each pontoon section line up perfectly so connections can be made.

Each connecting task completed allows the next task to begin. As soon as the grout is hard enough in the pontoon UVWX/RST joint, crews started stressing, or tightening, the permanent post tensioning strands. As soon as the pontoon UVWX/RST joint post tensioning is 25 percent complete, grout can be poured for the Q/R joint. As soon as...well, you get the picture. It all has to go in a pre-determined order.

So all last night and into today crews are working above and inside the pontoons. Electricians are pulling wires through conduit to restore the bridge's power. Crews are pushing post tensioning strands from one pontoon into another and tightening them in order to add strength to the grouted joint. Another team is focused on connecting hydraulic piping.

Those hundreds of connections, all done in a specific order, one at a time, are the small tasks that make a big difference.

An eye on transition span setting

2009-05-22T20:43:00.000-07:00

Saturday, May 23, the west transition spans on either side of the new west truss were set into place. These solid steel roadway sections are approximately 39 feet wide and 50 feet long.

They may seem small when compared to the 280-feet-long, 1.6 million pounds trusses, but they perform a vital role.

The transition spans link the unmovable approach spans to the moveable trusses on one side and the moving pontoons to the large trusses on the other side. They are designed to soften the angle points on the driving surface as the pontoons move up and down with the 16.5-foot tidal swngs.

With these parts in place, only two spans between the roadway pontoons must be installed before the bridge will be one long piece again.

What is the Q/R joint?

2009-05-22T20:03:00.000-07:00

Imagine what a dinosaur's hip socket looks like, then increase the size by four and you might be getting close to what the Q/R joint looks like. If you brain just can't get there, here is a photo of two crew members standing in front of the R end of the joint.

This custom-made connection, like any joint, allows movement. In this case, the Q/R joint allows the draw span to rotate with wind and wave actions independent of the roadway pontoon RST.

The joint creation took care and creativity. Each wood form placed before the concrete form had to be hand cut and inlaid in a circle, the concrete place carefully around it and custom seals added. A special wooden cover was created for the Q side of the joint to protect it from when it was constructed in 2006 until today's joining operation.

All the Q/R joining work must be completed when winds are 15 mph or less. Sunny days over the weekend really helped more the work forward. Q/R were "fit up" together on Friday, May 22. Temporary restraints were placed and grouting was completed on Saturday, May 23. After 12 hours of grout curing time, crews started permanent post tensioning operations on Sunday.

Hood Canal Bridge may open a week earlier than anticipated

2009-05-22T15:11:00.000-07:00

Good things are everywhere. The sun is shining, the long holiday weekend is starting and the Hood Canal Bridge may open a week earlier than anticipated. After four years of being asked "Do you think you will get the work done early?" it feels really good to finally be able to say "yes".

We don't know exactly when the bridge will re-open yet because there are several critical, weather-dependant work elements we need to still accomplish, including the Q/R joining operations this weekend. On Monday will we take another look at the work accomplished and what is left to do and share another "re-opening date" update. For now, my advice is this: If you have an appointment across Hood Canal on or after June 8, check your route before you go.

So get out there and enjoy the sunny water shuttle ride across the canal, knowing that this too will not last forever (or even six weeks).

-Becky Hixson

Signs, signs...

2009-05-22T13:00:00.000-07:00

...Everywhere there's signs
For our Jefferson Transit riders who use the water shuttle and are confused by signs that say the buses will not run on Memorial Day, Monday, May 25, please note that these only apply to regular Jefferson Transit routes. They do not apply to the buses that provide service to and from the water shuttle dock at South Point or the Shine Pit park and ride lot. Those will be offered every day throughout the closure.

West truss removal...

2009-05-22T10:07:00.000-07:00

Joe, Becky and staff have been providing you updates on the bridge construction and shuttle traffic from their temporary offices near the Hood Canal bridge. I, like you, have been enjoying watching and reading the updates from afar. I ran across something on Flickr today that was so cool I had to share it. Although the West truss was removed on May 8 this footage is too good to pass up:

The original footage of this was very slow, so we sped it up for the sake of time. If I was moving a million pound truss on a barge, over water I would probably take it slow too!

If you haven't already, be sure to follow along via the photo sharing site Flickr. New photos of the construction progress are uploaded daily.

Pontoon joining for RST and UVWX underway

2009-05-21T12:02:00.000-07:00

This fine, fine weather has brought more than the first sunburns of the season to the Northwest, it's also allowed WSDOT to begin major pontoon joining operations on the Hood Canal Bridge.

Work started yesterday to join pontoon sections RST and UVWX, as strands have been installed so post-tensioning work can begin. Post-tensioning is basically adding tension to these strands to compress the structure, and pulling the two sections together tightly.

We're also doing some electrical work and installing anchor cables.

I heard a great analogy about the construction going on at the bridge. It's kind of like a new house, most of the exterior's done but now we're finishing the interior. Soon enough, we'll put out the "Welcome" mat for everyone.

Blows, barks and bikes

2009-05-19T13:28:00.000-07:00

Blows
With the winds knocking through Hood Canal, sensitive internal joining operations are on hold and other work is progressing. Some of the joining work requires winds of less than 15 mph for as long as a day and a half, so when the wind blows, the work progress slows.

Barks
If you've been noticing some furry, four-legged friends joining you on the bus and water shuttle lately, it's because we've revised our pet policy. Dogs are allowed on both now, but must be well-mannered, on a leash and under control at all times. Unsafe animals will not be allowed -- and disruptive pets will be banned from using the services.

If Spot makes a "spot" on the water shuttle or transit, owners are wholly responsible for cleaning up.

Pets must ride on the outside decks on the water shuttle and owners will be asked to board first and ride in the rear of buses. If an allergic passenger is on board either a bus or water shuttle, pet owners might have to wait for the next departure.

Pet owners can also be banned if their animal is disruptive.

Bikes
Bicyclists can now travel straight to water shuttle docks in Lofall and South Point but must walk their bikes in designated areas. Bike riders also must load and unload as directed by WSF and transit supervisors. On the Jefferson County side, cyclists are encouraged to continue to use the park and rides at Port Gamble and the Gateway Visitors Center.

Water shuttles can still only accommodate five bicycles per sailing. WSDOT reserves the right to revoke access at any time.

Second truss set, final pontoon section placed

2009-05-18T13:28:00.000-07:00

WSDOT reached two huge milestones today on SR 104 Hood Canal Bridge Project, floating in the draw span pontoons and setting the east truss. The construction completes placement of major bridge components for the project.

The 596-foot-long draw span assembly is scheduled to be joined with pontoon RST on Tuesday, May 19, completing the placement of the three new east-half pontoon sections.

Three derrick barges lifted the 280-foot-long, 70-foot-wide, 40-foot-tall truss off a nearby barge and moved it into place. Setting the massive truss, which tips the scales at 1.6 million pounds, took about three hours to complete.

One question we're getting now is, "With all the main pieces in place, will the bridge open early?"

It's tough to say one way or the other, because while it is true most of the major components are now at the bridge site, some very unique technical and engineering challenges still must be overcome before we reopen.

Crews still have complex pontoon joint operations ahead, which include work that is dependent on having winds less than 15 miles per hour. WSDOT also must set drop-in spans and connect them to the pontoons, and post-tension the pontoons – pulling them together – to stabilize and strengthen the east half as a whole.

In a nutshell, there's a lot to be done inside the pontoons.

It's kind of like driving a car without tightening the lug nuts on the wheels... everything is there, but try to drive and you're not going to get very far. Pretty much everything is at the construction site, but it all still needs to be fastened into place so we can assure that the bridge will function properly.

See the latest project photos including the east truss set at Flickr.

Pontoon RST Returns Home

2009-05-16T14:55:00.000-07:00

Three refurbished concrete Hood Canal Bridge pontoons, named R, S and T, were brought to Hood Canal, positioned and anchored in place today, making them part of this 1.5 mile floating bridge for the second time in their history.

The story behind R, S and T started back in the 1980s. The pontoons were first used to decrease the amount of time the bridge was out of service after the 1979 storm that destroyed the bridge’s west half. By putting R, S and T in the place of the current west-half draw span, engineers opened the bridge to traffic a year before the draw span was completed. Once the west-half draw span was completed, R, S and T were moved to Port Gamble Bay and stored until towed to Seattle for refurbishing in January 2007.

Retrofitting these pontoons helped the Hood Canal Bridge project meet its May-June 2009 float-in date and saved tax payers both time and money through refurbishing pontoons rather than building three new ones.

The work required to refurbish R, S and T was completed in only nine months. Crews removed the old roadway and constructed a new, taller, wider roadway on top of the 60-foot wide pontoons so the pontoons match the widened west-half pontoons. Minor structural modifications were also made, a leak detection system was added and lighting systems were updated.

The 900-foot pontoons were then returned to Kitsap Peninsula’s Port Gamble Bay on October 1, 2007, awaiting today’s event.

West truss removed May 15

2009-05-15T13:05:00.000-07:00

WSDOT set the 1.6-million pound west truss in place today and connected the Jefferson County approach spans with the west pontoons.

Three derrick barges – including the largest one on the West Coast – hoisted the 280-foot-long, 70-foot-wide, 40-foot-tall truss off a nearby barge and moved it into place. The operation is scheduled to be repeated Monday, May 18 for the east truss placement.

The new trusses are huge and were quite the spectacle, even for those viewing from across the Hood Canal in Kitsap County.

The trusses are 30-feet wider than old roadway and are designed to match the approach spans at the Hood Canal Bridge, which were expanded in 2005. The wider construction not only improves the overall safety of the bridge today, but it also allows WSDOT to double capacity from two to four lanes in the future without having to build new trusses. We're planning ahead for expansion.

It's interesting that two pieces of the bridge that showed this sort of foresight are being installed within days of one another.

With the west truss in place, operations at the bridge site will shift back to east-half replacement work Saturday, May 16 when the 900-foot-long RST pontoon is scheduled to be installed. The recently retrofitted pontoon section was once part of the west half. It was removed and stored in Port Gamble Bay when the west-half draw span assembly was installed early 1980s.

Big project, big numbers

2009-05-14T20:34:00.000-07:00

Blog posts are usually focused on words – not numbers – but we thought we’d change it up a bit and offer you a statistical look at the first two weeks of the closure.

Based on numbers, water-shuttle ridership can be described as consistent. Take out the two rough-weather days that disrupted service, and we had an average daily ridership of nearly 2,100. The busiest day was Friday, May 8, with 2,509 passengers, and the lightest day not affected by weather was Sunday, May 2, with 1,428 passengers.

The numbers also suggest that Olympic and Kitsap peninsula residents are using the water shuttle for more than just getting to work. The boats have been busy on the weekends, too. In fact, Friday through Sunday, May 8, 9 and 10, accumulated the highest total ridership of any three days since the bridge closed.

The Starline and Jefferson Transit shuttles to and from the park and rides have experience the most use, with transit service to Bainbridge Island Ferry Terminal coming in third.

Just as predicted, early numbers show that more people are using the alternate driving routes of US 101, SR 3 and SR 106. The increases vary greatly based on where you’re counting, but on average the number of cars using highways to get around the canal is up 20 to 30 percent.

We also learned how many people are going to www.hoodcanalbridge.com for information or are calling our project assistance line at 1-877-595-4222.

Our Web site is averaging 12,000 page views per day, with the spike coming on day one of the closure, with nearly 24,000 views. Coming in second and third place were May 5 and May 11, each with more than 15,000 views. On those two days, water-shuttle service was disrupted by the nasty weather.

Those were challenging days for commuters, and the WSDOT folks who fielded more than 1,200 calls during those two days.

On the construction front, the project has accomplished 10 of the 24 major milestones. People are visiting our Flickr site in droves, with more than 37,000 views so far to read daily construction and “get around” updates, view the project’s latest construction photos and watch great video clips.

If you are really a numbers fan, be sure to visit our Hood Canal Bridge “By the Numbers” web page.

First new pontoon section installed

2009-05-13T16:27:00.000-07:00

Jefferson and Kitsap counties took a 943-foot step closer to being reconnected today as WSDOT installed the first of three new SR 104 Hood Canal Bridge east-half pontoon sections.

Pontoon UVWX – the longest of the new east-half sections – was towed out of nearby Port Gamble Bay early this morning. It was in place about 5 a.m. amidst a flurry of construction workers and derrick barges that have been a constant presence on Hood Canal since May 1.

Weather pending, pontoon RST is scheduled to join UVWX in Hood Canal later this week. Once the pontoons are in place, work will be taking place inside the pontoons – securing them in place and connecting the electrical and mechanical systems.

Early morning water shuttle out of South Point now even earlier

2009-05-12T08:49:00.000-07:00

Responding to travelers' requests and suggestions, WSDOT changed the departure time for the first boat out of South Point from 4:25 a.m. to 4:20 a.m.

The new 4:20 a.m. service out of South Point, which started Tuesday, May 12, provides commuters more time to catch the Bainbridge Island-Seattle ferry. Traffic had resulted in some connnection problems for buses traveling to meet early morning departures from the ferry terminals in Kingston and Bainbridge Island.

New schedules indicating the change are available on the water shuttles and at www.HoodCanalBridge.com.

Project focus shifts to reassembly work

2009-05-11T15:12:00.000-07:00

The old east half of the Hood Canal Bridge is gone and WSDOT is ready to bring in the new east half.

Tugs departed Hood Canal just prior to noon today, May 11 with the final piece of the old east half in tow. The 770-foot roadway section will be replaced early Tuesday morning with a 943-foot-long pontoon section that is currently moored in Port Gamble Bay.

Due to weather delays, crews are now scheduled to get a jump early Wednesday morning to move the new three-football-fields-long section from Port Gamble. This is occurring for a couple of reasons, both related to tidal conditions.

Port Gamble is a shallow channel, so setting sea at high tide is ideal. The early morning move also allows tugs to escort the new pontoon section into the canal with the help of an incoming tide.

So, it's out with the old and in with the new. You should get your first view of the first installed section of the new bridge tomorrow morning. Stay tuned.

See the latest project photos at Flickr.

Water-shuttle service resumes at 6 p.m., May 11

2009-05-11T12:10:00.000-07:00

About noon today (Monday), water-shuttle service across the Hood Canal was suspended due to high winds and rough seas.

These winds could persist into the early evening, according to weather forecasts. Drivers are advised to watch the weather reports, plan ahead and consider other travel options.

Thanks for your patience.

Water shuttle service is now scheduled to resume at 6 p.m., May 11.

Crew boats put workers on the right island

2009-05-09T14:02:00.000-07:00

The Hood Canal Bridge isn't really a bridge during most of this construction project.

It's much more like a group of disconnected islands with various work activities happening on each one.

As you can imagine, this situation creates some challenges - especially in terms of getting workers to the right "island."

We manage this challenge with crew boats. These boats pick workers up and take them from location to location.

I hitched a ride on the Swift Arrow crew boat during the float-out of the draw span assembly known as NOP. I got a close-up view that resulted in some great photos of the milestone.

The crew-boat crew on this day was made up of Phil and Bud, who have the best seat in the house for watching the transformation of the bridge.

However, there's not a lot of time to kick back in the boat and watch workers renovate the bridge. Phil and Bud were busy the entire time, moving from spot to spot, picking up workers who had finished their shifts, dropping them off, then picking up workers for the next shift.

Besides the photos, I also picked up a few pieces of wisdom from Phil and Bud, who have many years of experience on the water.

This from Bud: If you want to determine the direction from which a storm is approaching, face the prevailing wind, then turn clockwise about 120 degrees ... that's where it's coming from.

Thanks for the ride, guys.

One down, one to go

2009-05-09T13:58:00.000-07:00

WSDOT successfully floated out the first of two east-half roadway pontoon sections today, leaving just one to go before we can switch gears and focus wholly on replacement work.

After unfastening 80 bolts and cutting through 24 steel tendons, crews removed the 720-foot-long roadway pontoons Q and R on Saturday, May, 9. It's been pretty cool to see the sections removed and floated out, but the real excitment will begin when new pontoons and bridge parts start arriving at the construction site and are installed.

The longest of the massive new pontoon sections -- pontoon UVWX -- is scheduled to be towed from nearby Port Gamble Bay and installed on the Kitsap County side next week. With 943-feet of roadway and superstructure, pontoon UVWX is longer than three football fields and weighs more than 60 million pounds.

Here are the project’s next major milestones:
• Set new west A-frame
• Remove pontoon STUV
• Install pontoon UVWX

Stay tuned to Flickr for the latest project photos and videos.

WSDOT removes west truss

2009-05-08T16:21:00.000-07:00

The D.B. General – the largest derrick barge on the West Coast – came through big for the SR 104 Hood Canal Bridge Project today when it removed the nearly 1 million-pound section west truss.

Like the east truss, which was removed May 4, the west truss cannot be reused due to its age and size. It will be salvaged by contractor Kiewit-General and recycled.

Both bridge sections will be replaced later this month with new trusses that measure approximately 280-feet long, 70-feet wide and 40-feet tall. The new trusses are 30-feet wider than the existing sections, and will allow WSDOT to increase capacity on the bridge from two to four lanes in the future.

Here are the project’s next major milestones:

• Removal of west A-frame (May 9)
• Removal of the 720-foot roadway pontoons Q and R (May 9)
• Set new west A-frame

Watch video of the truss removal on Flickr.

Picking up steam after stormy couple of days

2009-05-07T19:51:00.000-07:00

The project bounced back in a big way today after a couple of rough weather days.

Three tugs pulled away this afternoon with the 929-foot-long, and nearly 50-year-old, draw span assembly.

That means the "bulge" that Hood Canal Brige drivers know so well is officially gone.

Also today, the transition spans on the west end were removed, setting the stage for tomorrow morning, when crews plan to remove the truss on the west end.

Weather taking toll on commuters and workers

2009-05-06T14:17:00.000-07:00

Get ready for another windy night on Hood Canal.

If the wind kicks up and the seas become unsafe for the water shuttles, the service wil be delayed or canceled.

Watch the weather reports and plan ahead, and explore other options for getting around. We'll let you know right away if the weather forces disruptions to the water-shuttle service.

Poor weather is also affecting work activities on the bridge project. The wind and choppy seas make the work more dangerous, and the workers more cautious.

The rain is also playing a role, as WSDOT maintenance crews pumped 60,000 gallons of standing water out of the Port Gamble park and ride and into trucks that took it off site.

Informing travelers during the May 4-5 storm

2009-05-05T15:40:00.000-07:00

We've had some crazy weather come through in the last 24 hours with high winds, causing large swells and crashing waves in the canal.

The combination of wind and waves caused construction work on the SR 104 Hood Canal Bridge to temporarily shut down and forced us to cancel sailings on the water shuttle between Lofall and South Point. Sailings were cancelled starting at about 10 p.m. Monday and until 9 p.m. Tuesday.

Immediately following the first dicey forecast, our operations teams began setting into motion contingency plans in the event we had to shut down the water shuttle service. Our first priority was to immediately notify the public that we could be looking at a cancellation.

Even before the call was made to cancel, we knew it was important to get the word out that it might be in the cards. We wanted people to have as much time as possible to make alternate travel plans or delay their trips. This ended up being a good strategy because we had just a few people who needed to be put on busses and transported around.

Anytime we have information that needs to get out to a lot of people in a short amount of time we get the information up on our Web site, we alert people via text messaging and we post the data so it can be heard when people call 5-1-1.

http://www.hoodcanalbridge.com/ - This site is the hub of what's going on. It has shuttle service updates, traffic updates, a link to our blog, and a link to photos that are constantly being uploaded to our Hood Canal Bridge Flickr site.

GovDelivery - This is WSDOT's system that sends traffic alerts in the form of text messages to those that subscribe to GovDelivery. It's free. Sign up for traffic alerts by selecting e-mail updates in the top right hand corner of Web site's home page. GovDelivery has delivered more than 2.7 million WSDOT messages and the number grows every hour.

511 Travel Info – Real-time traffic and weather information is available by simply dialing 5-1-1 from most phones. Updated every few minutes, 511 allows callers to immediately know about traffic congestion, road closures, ferry delays and mountain pass conditions. For the Hood Canal Bridge closure, you'll hear a message helping you navigate for more information about the closure.

If you have travel plans in and around the bridge during this closure, these are the tools you want to be linked into.

Water shuttle/transit services resume

2009-05-05T04:21:00.000-07:00

TRAVEL ALERT, 6 a.m., May 6: Service is operating on the Lofall-South Point water shuttle route across the Hood Canal and on connecting transit runs. Please call 5-1-1 for updates.

Crews preparing for windy night, morning

2009-05-04T18:54:00.000-07:00

It was a productive day on the bridge, with the removal of the east truss and the cutting or "unjoining" of two pontoons - a step toward floating them away.

Crews spent much of the second part of the day getting ready for the forecasted high winds, ensuring the pontoons were secure and moving equipment off the decks.

At this hour, weather reports suggest there is a strong likelihood that water-shuttle service between Lofall and South Point could be suspended as early as 9 tonight. If that happens, there's a plan in place to put people on buses and drive them around the canal.

We're also thinking about tomorrow morning. High winds could force us to delay the transit/water-shuttle service. We plan to make the call at 4 a.m. If the boats aren't allowed to run due to the rough weather, we'll re-evaluate every hour, then start the bus and water-shuttle service when it's safe to run the shuttles.

However, there are potential problems with that, too. Will the roads be open or will fallen trees block US 101 and SR 3? WSDOT is preparing for that, too, with several maintenance trucks roving both highways to help clear roads quickly.

East truss removed today

2009-05-04T12:39:00.000-07:00

Crews made a big job look easy this morning and the strongest derrick barge on the West Coast showed off its muscle as it lifted the one million-pound Hood Canal Bridge truss and lowered it onto a barge.

Check out photos from the truss pick at our Flickr site.

The truss is resting on a barge right now on the south side of the bridge. The truss will be shipped to Seattle, where it will be recycled.

Bonding on the boat

2009-05-04T12:32:00.000-07:00

My name is Jennifer Caldwell and I work for the Hood Canal Bridge team as a document control specialist, but over the past few days I’ve been riding the water shuttle across the canal.

My assignment: answer questions people have about the bridge closure, transit and water schedules and other issues.

Some people have said they prefer the water shuttle to their normal commute. The shuttle provides amazing views. If you watch closely, you might even see some porpoises swimming around in the water.

Some people have suggested ways to improve our services, while others have commented about the inconvenience.

All of this, I expected. But one thing has stood out, and that’s the conversations people strike up on the water shuttle rides. They are sharing this challenge, and they have more in common than they knew.

They start talking and realize they are neighbors, know the same people, work at the same companies. It’s neat to watch and listen.

This is a small thing, I understand … but even during this time when people are faced with a challenge, there is good coming out of it.

So keep talking, keep getting to know one another, and keep asking me questions. We’ll get through this together.

Weather, time, safety factors push truss pick to tomorrow

2009-05-03T18:02:00.000-07:00

Crews had plans to remove the truss on the east half of the bridge today, but the weather got rough, it started getting late and project decision-makers decided to err on the side of safety and live to fight another day.

Tomorrow morning they'll start the process again if the weather allows.

We'll keep you posted.

Keeping an eye on construction

2009-05-03T12:17:00.000-07:00

Walking the Hood Canal Bridge this morning, I knew I had to be on high alert at all times ... eyes wide open and head on a swivel.

There are workers and machinery everywhere, everyone focused on different tasks that lead to the same goal - completing this project on time.

The beeping of a fork-lift in reverse, the reverberation of jack-hammers pounding away at concrete, and the whir of the cable saws unjoining the pontoons are just a few of the sights and sounds that not-so subtly assault your senses.

Even with all of these sounds, the workers maintain an uncanny, singular concentration on their own individual tasks. I couldn't help but notice yesterday, when a crane pulled the transition span out, raised it into the sky, and lowered it onto a barge - very few workers stopped to admire the impressive power of the crane and skill of the crane operator.

They had work to do and they are on a tight schedule.

Jamie Swift
WSDOT Communications

Day 2 work sets stage for truss removal

2009-05-02T10:00:00.000-07:00

The plan today is to continue removing structural steel and the second of two transition spans on the east end. Watch the transition span removal at Flickr...

Removing the transition spans sets the stage for cranes to remove the east truss tomorrow (May 3).

However, as you can imagine, the truss removal is a delicate job and weather dependant.

That's why crews are closely monitoring the weather forecast for tomorrow. If the wind is blowing too hard, the truss removal will be delayed.

We'll keep you posted, and if the truss removal does happen tomorrow, we'll post photos and video on Flickr.

WSDOT reaches first construction milestone on Day 1

2009-05-01T14:16:00.000-07:00

The long wait is over and years of planning and construction started the short road to fruition today at 12:01 a.m. when the Hood Canal Bridge closed for six weeks. WSDOT is now working at the bridge site to replace the east half and the east and west trusses.

We didn’t wait long to reach our first major constrution milestone, either. Before 7 a.m. today – roughly seven hours after the bridge closed to traffic – crews successfully removed the east half draw pontoon. The 471-foot section is currently on its way to Sidney, B.C., where it will be used as a part of a pier for a new marina.

Removal of the section keeps the construction work on schedule and allows crews to immediately begin operations to replace the existing east-half draw span assembly. The draw span assembly, which features the bridge’s “bulge,” is scheduled to be removed next week. The existing draw span assembly measures about 928-feet from end to end – that’s more than three football fields.

See photos of the pontoon being floated out at Flickr or get more information about this project at http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/projects/sr104hoodcanalbridgeeast/.

Stay tuned, we'll be providing daily construction updates here as well as keeping the dialogue on "getting around" during the closure going. Have a question? Comment? Let us know.

Making a reservation on the medical bus

2009-04-20T15:15:00.000-07:00

As we head down the final stretch toward the approximately six-week closure of the SR 104 Hood Canal Bridge a number of individuals who receive ongoing medical treatment and do not require constant monitoring or care have asked how exactly the medical bus service will work.

Whether your appointment is at a Kitsap County medical office or with a physician in Seattle, calling 1-877-595-4222 at least two business days before your scheduled visit will help WSDOT assist you with your travel plans. Please note that reservations are taken between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday-Friday.

When you call, please be prepared to provide the following information:

Appointment date and time

Customer name and phone number

Physician or clinic name

Physician or clinic phone number and address

Estimated length of appointment

Whether you'll be accompanied on the trip or use a wheelchair or scooter (Check weight/size requirements)

For more information about the medical bus, visit the medical transportation FAQs section or the medical transportation assistance page at our project Web site (http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/projects/sr104hoodcanalbridgeeast/).

All roads lead to Mason County during bridge closure

2009-04-13T07:40:00.001-07:00

Even though the northern border of Mason County is more than 40 miles from the Hood Canal Bridge, Mason County drivers will feel the effect of having the bridge closed.

That’s because a convoy of commuters is headed Mason County’s way in May-June 2009, when the Hood Canal Bridge closes for up to six weeks.

Based on traffic statistics from past closures of the Hood Canal Bridge, Mason County will see a significant spike in the number of vehicles on US 101, SR 3 and SR 106.

Highways running through Hoodsport, Union, Shelton and Belfair are going to be heavily traveled during the closure. Essentially, Mason County is the Hood Canal Bridge for six weeks in the spring.

During two weekend bridge closures in 2005, daily traffic on US 101 near Shelton surged by about 1,700 vehicles, a 75 percent increase. Traffic counts taken during the 2005 closures also show a 25 percent increase on SR 106 and increases ranging from 5 to 15 percent along SR 3.

The 2005 closures were short term, allowing many commuters to delay their trips until the bridge reopened. Average daily traffic on the Hood Canal Bridge is 16,000 - 20,000 vehicles, but during the 2005 closures, 80 percent of the normal Hood Canal Bridge trips were deferred. Considering the duration of the May-June closure, deferring trips is less realistic for people who need to get to work, transport goods, or seek medical care.

Mason County drivers can help by traveling at off-peak times, allowing for extra drive time, and by driving alertly and cautiously. The influx of traffic brings many drivers who are unfamiliar with the curves, speed-limit changes, crossroads and driveways on US 101, SR 3 and SR 106.

For more information, visit http://www.hoodcanalbridge.com/.

Watching pontoons float out separately and combined

2009-04-01T14:51:00.000-07:00

Watching Monday’s float-out of pontoon UVWX from Todd Pacific Shipyards (TPS) was an interesting experience for me. At a length of some roughly 925 feet, the concrete roadway pontoon – made up of four connected pontoons – is an enormous structure. It’s sight to behold, really.

I’d seen its four pontoons constructed at Concrete Technology Corporation in Tacoma over the course of several months – U and W literally from the ground up – and wished them safe passage as they made their way north to TPS for outfitting and assembly in February and August.

They were connected, columns and girders were poured, roadway concrete was placed and hours upon hours of planning, hard work and braving a pretty foul Seattle winter finally paid off.

The chilly weather stuck around Monday morning, making shooting time lapse footage of the float-out in Seattle seem like it took longer than it did. The gray, blustery skies on the YouTube video of the event sum it up pretty well.

There weren’t any speeches as UVWX made its way north to Port Gamble Bay, where it will be moored until the SR 104 Hood Canal Bridge replacement project begins May 1. Rather, there was a certain pride in a job well done and a true sense of accomplishment that words can’t really capture anyway.

That’s never stopped me from trying, though.

I was talking to the Poulsbo Chamber of Commerce last week and mentioned how often I – as a former resident of Kitsap County – had crossed the SR 104 Hood Canal Bridge without giving it much thought. I practically gushed about how impressed I was with the work being completed and how engrossing the project has been for this former journalist.

The sheer magnitude of material needed is astounding and the accuracy required to put everything together is nothing short of amazing. Seeing the work that has gone into pontoon UVWX has given me a new respect for the structure as a whole.

It should go without saying that my days of not giving the Hood Canal Bridge any thought while crossing between Kitsap and Jefferson counties are most definitely over.

Chartering boats, buses and planes during the closure

2009-03-27T12:56:00.000-07:00

WSDOT is working diligently to provide travelers options when the SR 104 Hood Canal Bridge closes for approximately six weeks beginning May 1.

The water shuttle/transit service will work for many, some will use the twilight ferry between Edmonds and Port Townsend, and others will take the long way and drive around on US 101.

A number of local charter companies are working with the community to provide additional transportation.

People traveling to and from the Olympic Peninsula during the closure can take charter buses, boats and airplanes to get to their destinations. Local businesses offering charter services include:

While there are costs involved with using charter services, many of them are offering specials – directly to and from Sea-Tac for instance – to reduce the closure’s affect on travelers.

Do you plan to use the charter services being offered?

What should bicyclists and boaters expect when the bridge closes?

2009-03-20T15:11:00.000-07:00

People who choose to get around on two wheels or by water will face some unique challenges starting May 1 when the SR 104 Hood Canal Bridge closes for six weeks.

Due to ongoing construction on the bridge during the replacement project, boaters will have to stay informed on whether bridge-related work will affect their routes. They can accomplish this several ways, including:

Calling the live project information line at 1-877-595-4222
Following construction updates at http://www.hoodcanalbridge.com/
Reading answers to FAQs written specifically for boaters

Bicyclists can travel across Hood Canal on the water shuttle, but are reminded that the vessels can only accommodate five bicycles per sailing. Transit buses – which must be taken between the water shuttle docks and the Port Gamble park and ride in Kitsap County, and the Gateway Visitors Center park and ride in Jefferson County – can only accommodate three bicycles per trip.

For the safety of bicyclists and drivers, the only vehicles that will be allowed direct access to the water shuttle docks include transit, approved buses and emergency service vehicles. As stated earlier, this means bicyclists won’t be allowed to bike down to water shuttle docks to catch the passenger-only boat across.

We’re reminding boaters and bicyclists that although the temporary bridge closure won’t be easy, the new bridge will feature improvements that will make their travels much easier and safer for years to come. More reliable openings will help mariners as they journey in and out of Hood Canal and wider lanes and 8-foot shoulders across the bridge will create a much safer passage for bicyclists.

What do you think about the travel options for bicyclists and boaters?

HoodCanalBridge.com is a wealth of information, but are you finding it?

2009-03-13T15:14:00.000-07:00

Is www.HoodCanalBridge.com providing you the information you need?

One of the things the SR 104 Hood Canal Bridge Project Team strives to do is to help people prepare for the six-weeks bridge closure starting May 1.

One of the ways we do this is by making our Web site more readable and accessible. Each week, we update the site, adding new information and trying to make it more user-friendly.

Success is tough to gauge because we receive dozens of e-mail inquiries each week about the project. Many times, the answers to these questions are already posted at www.HoodCanalBridge.com in the FAQs or in the specific section that relates to the question -- like the medical transportation page for instance.

What this tells us is that either people aren't using the Web site as a resource to answer their questions, or they simply can't find what they need on the Web site.

What has your experience been at www.HoodCanalBridge.com? What question were you trying to answer, and were you able to answer it?

We'll take the information you provide and do our best to make it easier for you to find what you're looking for.

Tracking the trusses

2009-03-06T14:33:00.001-08:00

While thousands of people who rely on the SR 104 Hood Canal Bridge daily are getting ready and counting down the days until May 1, when the bridge closes for six weeks, it’s also a great idea to check in and see how construction is progressing.

Today, the first of two new trusses is being towed 352 miles from Oregon Iron Works in Vancouver, Wash. to Port Gamble near the bridge site.

The west truss, which will connect the bridge’s floating pontoons to a land-based roadway approach in Jefferson County, departed early this morning and is scheduled to arrive in Port Gamble Bay on Saturday, March 7.

You can track the truss and watch its progress by visiting www.HoodCanalBridge.com.

The east truss is scheduled to depart from Vancouver on March 20 and – weather permitting – arrive March 23.

The trusses are huge. They measure approximately 280-feet long, 70-feet wide and 40-feet tall – making it almost 100 feet longer than a Boeing 787 Dreamliner. The steel trusses weigh approximately 1.4 million pounds each – outweighing four 787 Dreamliners by a whopping 150,000 pounds.

What do you think of them?

What WSDOT is doing for freight haulers during the closure

2009-02-27T14:52:00.000-08:00

When the SR 104 Hood Canal Bridge closes for six weeks starting May 1, the primary trucking route to and from the Olympic Peninsula will close, too.

Working with freight haulers and communities, we are taking extra steps to help make certain the peninsula stays open for business. We recognize that delivering goods and services will be challenging during the six-week closure, so we are working with the freight community on strategies to improve coordination and communication.

We don’t want anyone to be surprised by the bridge closure, and we’re encouraging everyone we contact to get ready. Projects, plans and potential strategies we’re undertaking to improve freight mobility during the closure include:

WSF Sunday-Thursday twilight service between Edmonds and Port Townsend
Water shuttle between South Point in Jefferson County and Lofall in Kitsap County to help decrease car traffic on US 101
Highway improvement projects on US 101, SR 3 and SR 106 enhance safety and help keep traffic moving during the closure
Remotely-controlled signal at SR 3/SR 16 to help keep traffic flowing
Flagger stationed at US 101/SR 19 during peak commute times
Increased patrols (WSP and WSDOT) on US 101
Traffic updates multiple times each day, and a traffic alert system that will utilize cameras, signage, 511 traffic information, highway radio, text messaging, the media and other tools to reach the freight community
Also, Kenmore Air Express is increasing flights between Seattle and Port Angeles

Drivers can check their routes before they by calling the project information line 1-877 595-4222, signing up for regular list serv e-mail updates and news releases, and providing the latest views of the highways via traffic cameras.

Freight haulers who need more in-depth industry news can make sure their load is OK for the road by visiting the pages and sites below:

For more information on freight hauling resources during the closure, including helpful trucking resources and information on receiving WSDOT Freight e-mail alerts, visit the Trucking Information page at http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/projects/sr104hoodcanalbridgeeast/.

A closer look at the Edmonds-Port Townsend twilight ferry

2009-02-20T15:18:00.000-08:00

Washington State Department of Transportation Ferries Division (WSF) came through for the peninsula and the project earlier this year when they agreed to provide a nightly, Sunday-Thursday car ferry run between Port Townsend and Edmonds. Thanks to WSF we’re able to offer travelers another option in getting around and help ensure that the Olympic Peninsula will indeed be open for business when the Hood Canal Bridge closes May 1.

Complete details of the proposed service are still being finalized, but current plans include:
One round-trip sailing per evening, Sunday through Thursday with a crossing time of approximately one hour and 45 minutes.

Tentative schedule is:

Depart Edmonds: 8:40 p.m.
Depart Port Townsend: 10:40 p.m.

The vessel will be an Issaquah-class ferry with capacity for six 82-foot tractor trailer trucks and 86 passenger vehicles -- or 15, 15-foot delivery trucks and about 86 passenger vehicles -- in each direction.

Reservations will be taken for commercial travel on this route starting mid-April (call 877-595-4222), with priority given to commercial vehicles. Fares will be WSF’s regular Peak Season cross-Sound fare (same as the Edmonds/Kingston route):

Passenger: $6.70
Vehicle and driver: $14.45
80-foot+ truck: $115.60 for an 80’ vehicle + $1.45 for each additional foot

We think the evening runs will help travelers and truckers get across the Puget Sound quicker and reduce traffic and improve safety on US 101 during the closure as well.

Are you planning to use the service? What questions do you have?

2009-02-13T09:07:00.000-08:00

Stay “in the know” with real-time text messaging updates

Have you ever sat in traffic and wished you knew why those cars in front of you weren’t moving? Well, if there’s a collision blocking US 101, SR 3 or SR 16 during the May-June Hood Canal Bridge closure, you could get text message from WSDOT.

If you're heading south on 101 through Quilcene and there's a blocking collision near Brinnon it could very well be the difference between you sitting in traffic or having a refill on coffee at Loggers Landing.

Here’s how you can sign up now to receive text messages during the Hood Canal Bridge’s six-week closure:

New subscribers to the Hood Canal Bridge e-mail list wanting to receive text message traffic alerts during the May-June closure
1) Select “E-mail updates” at the top right-hand corner of the http://www.hoodcanalbridge.com/ home page
2) Enter and confirm e-mail address
3) Scroll down to “Optional Secondary E-mail Address” and check the box next to “Send Wireless Alerts to this Address”
4) Enter Wireless Number and Choose provider – typically your 10-digit phone number @ your wireless carrier (ex. 3605551234@Verizon.com)
5) Scroll down and select the “Save” button
6) Select regional alert preferences (Note SR 104 – Hood Canal Bridge Replacement is under ‘Olympic’)
7) Scroll down and select the “Save” button
8) You should receive a confirmation e-mail

Existing subscribers to the Hood Canal Bridge e-mail list wanting to receive text message traffic alerts during the May-June closure
1) Select “E-mail updates” at the top right-hand corner of the http://www.hoodcanalbridge.com/ home page
2) Enter your e-mail address in the allotted space and select “Go”
3) Select “subscriber preferences” to update your subscription
4) Scroll down to “ Secondary E-mail Address” and check the box next to Wireless Alerts preferred
5) Select more info to get your wireless carriers’ e-mail address
6) Enter and confirm your new secondary e-mail address. This will be your wireless number and provider – typically your 10-digit phone number @ your wireless carrier (ex. 3605551234@Verizon.com)*
7) Scroll down and select the “Save” button
8) You should receive a confirmation e-mail

* If you only want text alerts, you can enter the information as your primary “E-mail Address.” Subscribers choosing this option will not receive a confirmation e-mail, but can contact the Hood Canal Bridge Project Team at orfeedback@wsdot.wa.gov or (253) 305-6400 to have a test text message sent to their phone.

Try it out and tell what you think…

Water shuttle, transit are options during Hood Canal Bridge closure

2009-02-04T12:00:00.000-08:00

We’re often asked, “Why are you closing the bridge for six weeks?” Safety concerns, its age and the need for improvements are understandably overshadowed by travelers’ need to get across the canal.

I know where they’re coming from. I lived in North Kitsap for nine years while I worked at the Herald and headed over the Olympic Peninsula fairly regularly – to camp and hike or celebrate a special occasion by donning a clown wig and eating fine cuisine at The Ajax Café in Port Hadlock. The region’s isolation is truly part of its unique charm. Like folks say in Port Townsend, “We’re all here because we’re not all there.”

Indeed. But they still have to get across the canal and to the “east side” every now and then.

When the bridge closes for six weeks in May-June 2009, you won't be left high and dry. There are several options to help you get to your destination on either side of the Hood Canal.

You can find the fare-free transit schedules and connecting water shuttle service schedule between South Point in Jefferson County and Lofall in Kitsap County on-line at http://www.hoodcanalbridge.com/.

Of course, timing water shuttles and catching the bus means thinking outside the box and planning ahead.

As a recent transplant to Gig Harbor – actually living on the land my great grandfather and namesake Joseph Goodman homesteaded after the Civil War – I’ve been taking the bus to and from work in Tacoma. All that hiking in the Olympics must’ve paid off as runs and all-out sprints to catch the 102 have become the norm. You’d think someone who caught ferries out of Kitsap for so long would know better.

While the bus/water shuttle might work for some people, others might opt to take the car ferry out of Port Townsend, fly out of Port Angeles, take a boat, drive around – it takes awhile but is about as scenic as it gets – or stay put and shop locally. If you can, I’d recommend the latter, and the Ajax while I’m at it – their pork chops are to die for.

The bridge may be closed for six weeks but, rest assured, your favorite businesses will be open.

Map your route now, see if the fare-free transit will work for you and then share your plan here to help others plan ahead. The water shuttle/transit option is definitely less expensive than driving around on US 101 and might just make a bus rider out of you.

The water shuttle: facts and myths

2009-02-04T11:59:00.001-08:00

The water shuttle between South Point and Lofall gives you another way to get around when the Hood Canal Bridge closes for six weeks on May 1, providing the least expensive and most direct route to their destinations between Kitsap County and the north Olympic Peninsula.

It won’t be simple though. Most of us have a routine we follow five days a week, wake at 5:45, feed the kids, the pets, shower, scarf down some breakfast while taking the kids to school and then it’s off to an eight-hour stretch at work.

When the bridge closes and if you plan on taking the water shuttle/transit option as opposed to the much longer US 101 route, you should definitely know the facts because your routine will change – dramatically. Schedules for the water shuttle and connecting transit services can be found at http://www.hoodcanalbridge.com/.

The old bus commuter adage, “If you’re late, you wait” will still hold true. I have yet to have a missed ferry turn around to get me on the trip between Bainbridge Island and Seattle – not that I haven’t tried.

That said, here's what you need to know:

The water shuttle is primarily a commuter service, and meant to save people who must get to and from work five days a week the time and expense of driving around.
The water shuttle won’t be a delivery service. The water shuttle won't be used as to haul packages and dollies to businesses on the Olympic Peninsula.
If you need a bag, pack light. Passenger luggage will be limited to carry-on items.
Only service animals and those in pet carriers will be allowed on the water shuttle and buses.
The water shuttle will only take five bikes at a time and transit can only accommodate three bikes per trip.
For safety reasons, bicyclists won't be allowed to bike to and from the water shuttle docks. Cyclists in Jefferson County won't be allowed to bike to the park and ride at Shine Pit -- and will instead board a bus at the Gateway Visitors Center. In Kitsap County, bikers can ride to the Port Gamble park and ride and catch a bus to the water shuttle dock from there.
It's recommended that you wear comfortable shoes with good traction to board the water shuttles.

So what other questions do you have about this service?

Getting ready for May 1

2009-02-03T15:21:00.001-08:00

“When the Hood Canal Bridge closes for six weeks May 1 will I be ready?”

If you use the bridge now and haven’t asked yourself this question yet, we’d recommend it. Because, like an overnight backpacking trip to Marmot Pass or Mount Townsend, preparation is key.

When May 1 rolls around, the lives of people who rely on the bridge for everything from commuting and recreation to business and medical access will change drastically.

We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again -- this closure won’t be easy on travelers -- and whether you’re a business owner on Port Townsend’s historic Water Street or living on the scenic, rural stretches of Palo Alto Road, if you rely on the bridge you will be affected.

While WSDOT is definitely offering a number of viable transportation options, nothing we can offer before mid-June will be as simple, quick and direct as the Hood Canal Bridge. The bottom line is it will take you longer to get where you’re going and you’ll have to plan ahead in order to reach many destinations that are on either side of the Hood Canal.

Right now if you live in Sequim and work in Poulsbo, it probably takes you about an hour to get to work driving across the bridge. When the bridge closes it will take about an hour and 50 minutes using the water shuttle or more than three hours taking US 101.

Instead of getting in your car and driving to work, you’ll either take your car or catch a bus to the park and ride at Shine Pit, catch a connecting bus to South Point, catch a water shuttle to Lofall and catch another bus to either another vehicle at Port Gamble or to your destination in Poulsbo, Bainbridge, Kingston or Silverdale. This one-way trip is a lot quicker and cheaper than driving down US 101.

There are other options – including a once-a-night Sunday through Thursday car ferry between Port Townsend and Edmonds, private boats and via a private airplane charter – that we’ll discuss in greater detail in future postings.

But right now, it’s important to plan ahead and get ready. What are you planning to do?